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2013 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 29.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

23 reports with mileage · 14 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

37 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2022
Electrical SystemEngine

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450; it started with the activation of the vehicle's check - engine light. The Mercedes-Benz service advisor diagnosed the issue as oil intrusion into the vehicle's engine wiring harness. The estimated cost to repair was quoted as $7,0000.00. This resulted in the replacement of the engine wiring harnes…

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2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450; it started with the activation of the vehicle's check - engine light. The Mercedes-Benz service advisor diagnosed the issue as oil intrusion into the vehicle's engine wiring harness. The estimated cost to repair was quoted as $7,0000.00. This resulted in the replacement of the engine wiring harness, four (4) Lambda sensors, four (4) camshaft hall sensors and four (4) camshaft solenoids. This trouble could cause engine failure or misfire if not corrected. Driving the MB GL450 in this condition is a safety issues for anyone driving on the road. Researching on the internet about MB GL450/550 engine oil intrusion into the engine wiring harness is a common problem.

NHTSA ODI #11477496

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2022
Suspension

Unknown:The road adaptive tire pressure sensors are off and the air suspension is malfunctions.At the cost of this model I would expected a little more class of safety measures.

NHTSA ODI #11456392

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2021
Unknown Or OtherInjury

AS YOU STATED ABOVE THE AIR CONDITIONING IS NOT A REASON A DRIVER WOULD LOOSE CONTROL UNLESS YOU HAVE A MERCADES THAT IS LEAKING GAS AND MY KIDS AND PASSANGERS ARE SICK AND PASSING OUT AND SO AM I. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON ALMOST 3 YEARS. GOES TO DEALERSHIP AND THEN SITS BECAUSE THEY NEVER FIX IT. FINALLY A LAW SUIT WITH PEOPLE …

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AS YOU STATED ABOVE THE AIR CONDITIONING IS NOT A REASON A DRIVER WOULD LOOSE CONTROL UNLESS YOU HAVE A MERCADES THAT IS LEAKING GAS AND MY KIDS AND PASSANGERS ARE SICK AND PASSING OUT AND SO AM I. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON ALMOST 3 YEARS. GOES TO DEALERSHIP AND THEN SITS BECAUSE THEY NEVER FIX IT. FINALLY A LAW SUIT WITH PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM ENTERED THE CLASS ACTION SUIT NOTHING. TOOK THE CAR BACK AND THEY SAY NOW THE TOXIC GAS LEAKING OUT OF FAULTY A/C UNITS THAT MERCEDES WAS SUED AND CONSUMERS WON BUT NOW WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM. SO I NOW HAVE SEVERE ASTHMA MY KIDS NOW HAVE BREATHING ISSUES AND WON'T DRIVE A SICK CAR. A/C UNITS ARE TO BE CONTAINED AND HOLD ANTI-FREEZE THAT IF INHALED AS IT IS LEAKING OUT OF THE NON CONTAINED UNIT IS TOXIC, A CARCINOGEN, SAME TOXIN USED IN NERVE GAS AND IT IS DEADLY AND MERCEDES DOES NOT FIX IT OR CARE. THIS HAS GONE ON FOR YEARS AND IS A NIGHTMARE. THEY MADE A SETTLEMENT BUT THEN THEY DON'T DO WHAT THE JUDGE SET FORTH IN THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE;

NHTSA ODI #11427395

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2021
SuspensionWheels

Driver's side tire continues to leak air - note low tire pressure even with new tire replacement. Airmatic Suspension failure. Rear airbag suspension airbag. Compression also failed. Several complaints to dealer advising the car was bouncing up and down while in drive. Took vehicle to the shop with suspension complaints a…

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Driver's side tire continues to leak air - note low tire pressure even with new tire replacement. Airmatic Suspension failure. Rear airbag suspension airbag. Compression also failed. Several complaints to dealer advising the car was bouncing up and down while in drive. Took vehicle to the shop with suspension complaints at the end of April 2021. We were told they did not find an issue with suspension but saw an issue with the sway bar. This cost $549.00. The week we brought the car home it was still bouncing up and down and we contacted the dealer again and was advised they did not find anything wrong. Within 2 weeks of having the vehicle, I was driving and the vehicle was violently bouncing up and down even traveling at a low level. We took the vehicle back and have not been advised now that they see the malfunction light for the suspension on they realize that's the issue. The suggested cost to repair only the rear is $4k. If the front and rear need repairs it over $7k. The issue is it appears this is a known issue for the Airmatic system and with a vehicle in this price range and under 90k miles - appears to be a issue with manufacturing. I was also advised this repair is no longer covered on their extended warranty.

NHTSA ODI #11420287

100,456 miles · Oct 14, 2020
Suspension

WHEN ACTIVATION OF THE SUSPENSION LIFT SYSTEM. COMPRESSOR IS COOLING THEN A MALFUNCTION MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE SCREEN. VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY IN THE REAR UP AND DOWN AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS AND OVER ANY SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THIS CONCERNS ME FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHER OWNERS WHOM MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. 2013 MERCEDES BENZ…

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WHEN ACTIVATION OF THE SUSPENSION LIFT SYSTEM. COMPRESSOR IS COOLING THEN A MALFUNCTION MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE SCREEN. VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY IN THE REAR UP AND DOWN AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS AND OVER ANY SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THIS CONCERNS ME FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHER OWNERS WHOM MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. 2013 MERCEDES BENZ GL 450 IS THE MODEL I OWN CURRENTLY AND IVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 3 MONTHS AND I'M ALMOST SCARED TO DRIVE IT FOR FEAR OF SOMETHING CATOSTROPHIC HAPPENING. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. EVEN WHEN PARK AND ACTIVATING THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM THE ERROR MESSAGE STILL APPEARS.. I HAD A INDEPENDANT MECHANIC SAY ITS THE REAR AIR BAGS AND THE COMPRESSOR THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF IT BEING A 4 MATIC MODEL THE AIR LINE FROM THE COMPRESSOR IS NOT SUPPLYING THE REAR SUSPENSION WITH ENOUGH AIR TO LIFT THE VEHICLE THUS CAUSING THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE.

NHTSA ODI #11364349

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2020
Air Bags

A DEFECTIVE REAR MIDDLE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG ALERT / SIGN COMES ON ONCE I TURN THE ENGINE ON. IT STAYS ON THROUGH OUT THE DRIVE. I SUSPECT THE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE

NHTSA ODI #11306921

100,000 miles · Jul 27, 2019
EnginePower TrainSeat Belts

THIS CAR HAS LOT OF ISSUES WITH WATER PUMP, RADIATOR LEAK, LOT OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. OIL LEAK IT'S GOT LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. RADIATOR HOSES LEAK. CAR STOPPED ON MASS PIKE GOING TO ALBANY, NY TOOK IT TO BENZ OF ALBANY THEY SAID ENGINE MISFIRES NEEDS ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND IT WOULD COST $47,000 TO REPLACE. VERY VERY BAD ENGINES.…

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THIS CAR HAS LOT OF ISSUES WITH WATER PUMP, RADIATOR LEAK, LOT OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. OIL LEAK IT'S GOT LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. RADIATOR HOSES LEAK. CAR STOPPED ON MASS PIKE GOING TO ALBANY, NY TOOK IT TO BENZ OF ALBANY THEY SAID ENGINE MISFIRES NEEDS ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND IT WOULD COST $47,000 TO REPLACE. VERY VERY BAD ENGINES. I LEFT A VOICEMAIL ON BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICE AND NO ONE CALLED BACK OR SEND ME ANY TYPE OF RECALLS. VERY BAD SERVICE.

NHTSA ODI #11235222

88,000 miles · Jul 26, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SuspensionUnknown Or Other

UPON ACCELERATION AFTER A COMPLETE STOP THERE ARE SEVERAL SECONDS OF HESITATION TO ACCELERATE AND LOUD CLICKING SOUNDS THAT NEIGHBORING CARS CAN HEAR. AFTER DOING ONLINE RESEARCH, THIS ISSUE IS NOT LIMITED TO GL450. OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPRESSED THE SAME CONCERN IN OTHER MODELS: 2008 C300, 2009 C300, 2015 C300, 07 GL450, 03 GL450.

NHTSA ODI #11235020

87,500 miles · May 24, 2019
SuspensionFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR SECTION WOULD BOUNCE UP AND DOWN VIOLENTLY DUE TO A FAULTY REAR AIR SUSPENSION. IN ADDITION, AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE ARM REST WAS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE CAUSE OF THE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR SECTION WOULD BOUNCE UP AND DOWN VIOLENTLY DUE TO A FAULTY REAR AIR SUSPENSION. IN ADDITION, AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE ARM REST WAS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,500.

NHTSA ODI #11209653

58,000 miles · Mar 8, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

ENGINE HARNESS WIRES CONTAMINATION IN ME, CAUSE SENSORS DAMAGE AND ENGINE PROBLEMS TO START UP RIGHT NORMAL DEALER WANT TO CHARGE ME 14K FOR SERVICE AND REPAIR , EVERY TIME I START THE CAR IT SOUNDS LIKE IT TAKE TIME TO START AND I GET THE CHECK ENGINE EVERTIME I START THE CAR

NHTSA ODI #11185140

Official recalls

3

19V787000 · Communication

Nov 1, 2019

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

18V272000 · Suspension:front

Apr 27, 2018

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the Active Curve System (ACS). In certain driving conditions, if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.

13V166000 · Seat Belts

Apr 29, 2013

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2013 GL350 BlueTEC, GL450 4MATIC, GL550 4MATIC, and GL63 AMG vehicles manufactured May 15, 2012 through October 4, 2012. The second row seat belt anchor fitting bolts may not be properly torqued.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the bolts are not properly torqued, the seat belt anchor bolts may continue to loosen and in the the event of a crash, the belted occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners and dealers will check, and tighten the bolts of the seat belt anchor fittings, as necessary, free of charge. The recall campaign began on May 24, 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.